Speaking the same data language: How semantic interoperability supports data reuse
Shared definitions and consistent descriptions help people find, understand and reuse data across borders
Data from different organisations can be difficult to combine when the same terms have different meanings. A contract, a supplier or a railway asset may be described differently across systems and countries. Semantic interoperability helps address this problem by establishing shared definitions, making information easier to understand and reuse without losing its original meaning.
A peer-learning session hosted by the Interoperable Europe Portal on 14 September explored two practical examples. The Publications Office’s eProcurement Ontology provides shared definitions for information across the public procurement process, helping connect data about tenders, contracts and organisations. The European Union Agency for Railways’ ontology brings together information about railway infrastructure, vehicles and safety certifications. These frameworks help users interpret related information consistently, even when it comes from different national systems.
The European Data Portal brings together datasets from publishers across Europe, giving users a single place to discover information on a wide range of topics. Shared definitions help users understand what these datasets describe and assess whether information from different sources can be meaningfully combined and reused.
Want to see how a shared data language works in practice? Read the session highlights to discover the procurement and railway examples, or browse the European Data Portal for resources relevant to your interests.
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